MAY 1, 2019
~ Pat Dowling
NMB Public Information
Memorial Day Weekend officially kicks off our summer tourist season. During the season, our daily population swells to well over 100,000 residents and visitors. Our hotels, motels, condos and house rentals are completely full.
Coupled with the annual, four-day Atlantic Beach Bikefest, our city is extremely busy.
Due to the large number of people in town, many unique challenges arise. The most obvious challenges are traffic congestion and excessive noise.
Traffic Congestion
Expect very heavy traffic over Memorial Day Weekend, especially from late afternoon into the late evening. This timeframe is the peak time for everyone going out to dinner or enjoying our many local attractions. Coupled with Atlantic Beach Bikefest, which can attract as many as 300,000 participants to the Grand Strand, our resources are stretched to the max as we work to keep traffic flowing smoothly for everyone’s sake.
The most common traffic violations:
Speeding
Weaving in and out, and in between traffic
Burnouts
Motorcycle riders “holding” intersections to allow their group to continue without having to stop for a red light or stop sign.
Violators are subject to a citation and/or arrest with a fine up to $1,000 dollars.
Please exercise good judgment, and be patient.
Excessive Noise
City Ordinance Sec. 12-70 states:
It shall be unlawful for any person to make, continue or cause to be continued any excessive, unnecessary or unusually loud noise or any noise which either annoys, disturbs, injures or endangers the comfort, repose, health, peace or safety of others, within the limits of the city.
Our policing approach is community oriented. We prefer to first educate, inform, and lastly warn. If that approach does not work, we will cite. We know that the majority of our visitors are not aware of our ordinances and, for the most part, are not intentionally trying to create a nuisance. On almost all occasions, after the officer speaks with a visitor, issues are resolved.
If we are called to the same location several times for excessive noise, the violator is subject to a citation and/or arrest with a fine up to $1,000 dollars.
Prevent Motorcycle Theft
Every year several motorcycles are stolen during the Memorial Day Weekend. Expensive, custom and show bikes are popular with thieves.
To prevent thefts:
Be aware of where you park. Avoid dark, poorly lit areas.
Don’t leave leathers, cameras, GPS, helmets, etc., on your bike.
Lock your motorcycle. High quality disk locks, wheel locks, and heavy duty cable or chain locks are recommended. Thieves can easily overcome factory ignition locks.
Fire Safety Laws
In previous years, there have been some unfortunate incidents due to improper grilling. We would like everyone to stay safe this holiday weekend. Please follow these safety tips:
Charcoal burners and other open-flame cooking devices shall not be operated on balconies or within 10 feet of combustible construction.
No cooking under tents unless the tent exhibits an affixed NFPA 701 flame-resistance rating.
Tents and membrane structures in excess of 400 square feet require a permit.
Sky lanterns are prohibited.
The content above was taken from a brochure being distributed by the NMB Public Safety Department to visitors and residents during the Memorial Day weekend, as personnel comes into contact with them.